Victoria Belle (LeCure) Pickering

Passed away on August 24, 2026 after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s and Multiple Myeloma at the age of 92 at Syracuse Community Health Center. She was a part of a clinical trial through the Buffett Cancer in Omaha in hopes of finding a cure and was a 27 year breast cancer survivor.

Vickie was born to Lila M and Clemma V. LeCure in Chamoise, Missouri on June 15, 1934. While her father worked for the Army Corp of Engineers on the Reclamation of the Missouri River project - she moved through numerous river towns including Mound City, Brownville, Rulo, Nemaha and settled in Nebraska City. Vickie met Charles D. Pickering while they were students at Nebraska City High School. Vickie graduated in 1952. Vickie and Charlie were married on May 28, 1955. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Vivian, Jackie, Wanda, Linda, brother C.W. and survived by sister Joan.

Vickie earned her elementary teaching degree from Peru State College and signed her first teaching contract at the age of 19 for Syracuse Public Schools as a 1st grade teacher. She taught in Friend, Nebraska for two years until they moved back to Syracuse. She taught 1st grade for eight years then worked as a substitute teacher for the next 17. She was never afraid to take the tough substitute teaching jobs - including the high school shop or Ag classes. She went back and got her Bachelor’s degree from Peru State in 1971 and graduated with honors. From 1979-1986, she taught a combined classroom of 4th-5th and 6th grades in Avoca, NE. Her favorite thing to teach was Nebraska history to 4th graders. In 1980, she completed her Special Education/Elementary Education certification and became the Chapter 1 reading teacher for Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Public Schools where she created an award winning reading program.

She was extremely active in the Syracuse community. She served as the Dance Coordinator for the Syracuse Centennial Pageant in 1971. She was an active member of the Otoe County Democrats, a 4-H Club leader for 22 years and a County Superintendent for the Home Environment projects for the Otoe County Fair for 20 years. She was the recipient of the Leadership Award for the Town & Country 4-H Club in 1984. She was an active member of the Otoe County Ag Society. She led both Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops for her children. She was a member of the Syracuse Community Improvement Committee and a member of the Em-A-Non Extension Club. She was also appointed to the Syracuse Planning Commission by the mayor.

In addition to being active in the community, she was also active professionally where she received numerous awards. She was an active member of her profession education association (SDAEA) serving on multiple negotiations teams, professional growth chairman, treasurer and secretary. She was a member of the Apple Valley Reading Association and served as the parent involvement chairman. She was a member of the Nebraska State Reading Association and the professional education sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma.

Vickie was an avid Husker fan and attended Husker football and basketball games well into her 80s. She also enjoyed attending college baseball games, especially the College World Series. Later in her years she had to settle for watching all Husker sports on television. She loved reading, gardening, knitting, sewing, ceramics and ballroom dancing. She was an avid Precious Moments collector. She relished her time with her former teacher colleagues on the golf course at dawn in her retirement.

She is survived by her husband Charlie of Syracuse, three children: Barb (Chuck Gentile) of Omaha, Kim of Lincoln, John (Lori Dalrymple) of Medina, MN and three grandchildren Jared of Champlin, MN, Audrey of Minneapolis, MN and Gretchen of Queensbury, NY.

Private burial at Syracuse Cemetery. Celebration of life reception to be held at a later date. Memorials can be sent to the Western National Bank (formerly Bank of Cook) 930 12th Street, Syracuse, NE 68446 for the Pickering Family Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com